This follows a recent joint application by Carlow and Waterford Institutes of Technology for funding to the Authority.

Following on from the decision earlier this year of the governing bodies of Waterford and Carlow Institutes of Technology to recommence discussions on the creation of a Technological University of the South East, the Institutes submitted a proposal for funding to support the creation of a support infrastructure in line with the recommendations of the Kelly report - Engagement and Consultation Process on a Technological University for the South East (Report to the Minister for Education and Skills, July 2015). The investment of €1.5 million will enable the Institutes to develop and implement an action plan to lead to Technological University.

Both chairs and welcomed the allocation of funding and stated that the funding was a vote of confidence in the South East TU process by the HEA Board.

The two South East Institutes are committed to delivering a university of international standing for the region in support of economic and social development and this investment by the HEA will help advance this process.

They said it was imperative that the legislation required to enable the creation of the Technological University is also enacted to enable the creation of a university for the South East.